Chapter 70: Falling Into Place
"Well, this is rubbish," Brogan observed as they sat in the front room of the flat. The three of them were awaiting the Order's return from the Orb mission. Ginny nodded in silent agreement at Brogan's assessment. Harry, for his part, was pacing back and forth in front of the big television, hands clenched at his side.
Ron, Hermione, the twins, as well as Bill and Tonks with a few Aurors, had headed to the docks for surveillance and recovery, as Lupin was calling it. It had been decided that she, Brogan, and Harry would sit this one out. And while Ginny knew Harry understood why, she also knew that he was not happy about it. She knew he was both equal parts anxious about their loved ones, and a bit put out that he wasn't out there himself.
"Harry," Ginny murmured after his fifth pass and held out her hand. He stopped mid-pace and gave her a sheepish look. He soon joined them on the settee, sitting between her and Brogan. They connected, and Ginny felt something in her stomach start to untangle as a wave of calmness flitted over her. She tilted her head and mouthed the words "thank you" to Brogan, who gave her a small smile.
Brogan gently pushed Harry back so that he could rest against the soft cushions of the settee and cocked his head at the other man. "Close your eyes, Harry."
Harry frowned but did as requested. Ginny watched as Brogan closed his eyes as well while linking his hand with Harry's. Within a few minutes, Ginny soon felt relief and peace emanating from them both, and she rested her head on Harry's shoulder.
"They'll be back soon enough, love," she murmured.
"I know," Harry replied, sounding calmer, too. "I'm just not used to not…being there. Out in the thick of it."
Just then, the door to the left of them opened, and Remus poked his head around the corner. "Harry? We've received a message from Dora. They're coming home."
"Is everyone alright?" Ginny asked, a burst of nerves suddenly hitting her. She realized this must be how her parents felt all the time now. It was easier to leave than to be left behind.
"We'll know more in a moment, but I think so, yes," Remus said, smiling at her.
Ron and Hermione were the first ones back, looking cold and windswept. Then Tonks with Bill and Ginny frowned when she didn't see the twins. Bill saw her look and patted her shoulder.
"They're fine, sis. They decided to stop off at their shop for a moment."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Harry asked.
"Hermione made them look like old geezers," Ron said, sitting down next to Ginny. "And they have a secret way into the shop now."
Ginny smirked because her brother looked far too happy with himself for knowing something they didn't. She nudged him. "Well, how did it go?"
"Total bust," Ron said, sighing. "Not a bloody Orb in sight."
Hermione shook her head and sat down in the chair across from them.
"Oh, we learned a few things," she said enigmatically, and Ginny knew Harry was frowning at the other girl without even having to look at him.
"Come on, let's go get settled," Brogan said, standing up as though he too sensed Harry's mood darkening again. They followed him to the meeting room while Bill stopped off for some tea and to talk to their father. Tonks was conferring with Remus, and Ginny realized she hadn't seen Brogan's father anywhere all day. She asked him where Solace was.
"He's gone to Ireland with Kath to work on that counter-potion to the dampening bomb," Brogan said next to her as they sat down. "Torin's feeling a bit ill, and Kath didn't want to make him travel if he didn't have to."
Ginny wondered about something. "Are your father and Kath's father close friends?"
Brogan shrugged. "I reckon they were before Mum died. Not sure how much they've stayed in touch through the years."
"Is your father even any good at potions?" Harry asked.
"You know what? I haven't the foggiest," Brogan admitted, making room for Ron and Hermione to sit on the other side of him. "He said he was going because Remus didn't want Kath traveling on her own."
"Oh, your father's not bad at it," Hermione offered, listening to their conversation. "He helped out the last time Mr McNamara was here. The three of them together should be able to sort something out for us in no time."
"Great, now I can sleep better at night with that tidbit," Brogan said dryly. Ginny smirked at him, and they all turned towards the door as the twins came in carrying two boxes. Fred placed his box by them, and George brought the other one towards the opposite end of the table.
"What's-" Ron started to say, but Fred wagged a finger at him.
"In due time, little brother. So keep your considerable conk out of it."
Ron made a face at Fred and sat back grumbling. Ginny cooly raised her eyebrow at Fred as he turned his attentions to her. He looked as though he wanted to tell her to keep out of it, too. They stared at each other for a beat, and then Fred solemnly nodded his head at her.
"You Weasleys are a strange bunch," Brogan stage whispered next to her, and she grinned at him when Fred finally turned away.
"We have our individual ways of communicating. With Ron, the direct approach works best. With me, well, mostly I just allow them to think they're being clever and getting away with the big brother routine. But we all know the truth. They get away with what I allow them to get away with."
"Too true, little sis," George said, joining them. He smirked at Ron but turned his attention to Brogan and her. Ginny realized she and Brogan were sitting closer than usual; in fact, she hadn't even realized she was resting her arm on his. She brazenly stared back at her brother, daring him to acknowledge that he'd noticed. She felt Harry shift closer to them and then slip his arm around her shoulders.
"Did any of you speak to Kath before she left?" George asked them now, a slight frown on his face as he glanced away.
Brogan shook his head as he shifted a bit in his chair. "No, just my father. They left right after you lot did."
"She said to tell you she was going to try to bring back some Barmbrack when they returned. Her Mum's recipe. Whatever that means."
Brogan's eyes lit up. "Brilliant! I haven't had that in ages." He glanced at Harry and Ginny. "It's a sweet bread, with raisins and sultanas, and you just have to eat it with tea. Her Mum used to make the best loaf I've ever had. Hers was sweet and cake-like, and it just melted in your mouth. At Halloween time, it's traditional to include an item in the bread, and whoever finds it is considered lucky for the next year."
"But you don't usually like sweets," Harry teased. "And I can't believe you forgo your usual coffee!"
Brogan grinned and looked nostalgic. "There is always an exception, and this bread is mine. I could honestly eat an entire loaf in one sitting. And it's even more perfect with tea."
Ginny couldn't help herself and smiled at his enthusiasm as she leaned towards him. "Reckon I should learn how to make it."
Remus re-entered the room then, and everyone quieted down, but Ginny realized George was still looking at her strangely. She jerked her head at him to pay attention, and he pulled his eyes away from them, but not before furrowing his brow. Ginny sighed. Her earlier daring feeling disappeared as she realized she didn't want to have that conversation with another brother. At least, not any time soon. Harry squeezed her shoulder and gave her a questioning look as though sensing her anxiety. She released a long breath and then shrugged. She would worry about it when the time came. Ginny patted Harry's hand to let him know she was okay.
"Right," Remus said as the meeting started. "Overall a success, although not in the way that we thought. No Orb, but we also know that Voldemort didn't get it either, so that's a plus. But our group did run into more of those-"
"Goons," supplied Ron. "We like calling them goons. It fits them."
"Yes, well, Dora will catch you up to speed on them," Remus said, his lips twitching.
"Most of them are squibs, as far as we can tell. Fred and George didn't see the two that jumped you before," Tonks said, nodding at Brogan. "But these blokes were similar. No women among them as far as we could see, and some of them are quite, um…"
"Thick?" Ron supplied again, and Hermione nudged him with her elbow.
"I was going to say intellectually challenged, actually," Tonks said, her face breaking into a smile. "But yes, thick works just as well.
"We captured one and asked him some questions to see if they were indeed working for You Know Who," Tonks continued. "Kingsley couldn't allow us to use Veritaserum on them just for being suspicious, but they either don't know who they're working for, or they're incredibly good under pressure. The Aurors we had asking them questions are…well, let's just say they're extremely good at interrogation. The blokes just kept saying that they were there to pick up a special delivery for someone. And no," Tonks said when Harry opened his mouth to ask a question. "We did not find out who that is."
Ginny frowned as the room let that sink in for a moment. She glanced around and saw similar expressions on the faces of the people around her. "So, there's a third party we have to be aware of that's out there now?" she finally asked.
Tonks shrugged and looked at Remus, who answered. "We're not sure, Ginny. The Orb, if it was sent, was definitely from a family associated with Death Eaters, but…that is the only connection we've found."
"Maybe Filch has been bored since the school's closed, and he's started his own Squib army," Ron muttered. Harry snorted beside her but then sobered. He looked at Remus.
"Can we at least know which family was supposed to have sent this thing or asked for it?"
"It was the Malfoys. Narcissa and Draco have been in France for a long time now. They have a chateau there, near Burgundy. And, as we're all aware, Lucius has been a known collector of rare items, especially ones that can be used for Dark Magic."
Ginny knew a couple of people glanced her way, but she ignored them, knowing they couldn't help but think of Riddle's diary. The idea that Lucius Malfoy had more items of use to Voldemort was not a surprise to her. But she was interested in the fact that Draco was not at his father's side. She glanced at Harry.
"Draco hasn't been seen since Voldemort and Dumbledore's fight at the school. We're assuming Lucius shipped them off for the Christmas hols because he knew what would happen. We've been talking to Percy Weasley to find out if he ever heard anything about Voldemort wanting the Orb. Unfortunately, he had not, but he reiterated that Voldemort is more than likely getting increasingly desperate and will try anything at his disposal." Remus soberly looked around the table at them. They could all only imagine what a desperate Voldemort could mean.
"I think we should take even more precautions than we are now," Harry said quietly as he looked around the table. Ginny watched as he eyed the twins. "No more traveling back and forth, even under disguise."
"Ah, but that is where these come in, Harry," Fred said, standing up. He nodded at George, who had also stood, moving towards the nearest box.
"Do you lot remember our Extendable Ears?" George asked, glancing at them. Ginny and the rest of them nodded. "Well, these little gems are like those, except for the eyes."
"Ew," Hermione muttered before George could open the box. Even Ginny felt a bit disgusted at what that could mean, she had to admit.
"Oh, don't worry, we're not going to be carrying around little eyeballs," Fred called from the other side of the table.
"Although that'd be a cool gag gift for Halloween time," George said, reaching into the box.
"I don't even want to think about what that would look like," Ron shuddered.
George pulled out a small, plain-looking round case. He tapped his wand on it, and the lid flew back. Ginny had been half expecting a glass eye to be staring back at her, but instead, there was a tiny little screen. Not unlike the television that sat in the outer room.
"We got the idea watching that telly," George said, setting the case down in front of them. He looked down the table at his brother. "Ready, Fred?"
"Yeah. If the fine Miss Tonks will be my guinea pig?" Tonks shrugged and stood up in front of him. Fred fiddled with her robe for a moment and then nodded. "Activate away, Georgie."
Harry, Brogan, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione all leaned forward as George nodded at Fred and then tapped his wand on the open case.
Suddenly Ginny was staring at herself, as well as the rest of them. Except it was from the other side of the table. It was a bit disorienting at first as Fred had Tonks move left and then right.
"That's pretty cool," Ron said, sounding impressed.
George chuckled. "You haven't even seen the best part. Hermione, try and act like you mean Tonks harm in some way."
"Er, all right." Hermione scrunched up her face in concentration and then gave a reasonably malevolent glare in Tonks's direction (Ginny was impressed, actually). Suddenly Hermione's image in the case exploded into a violent shade of magenta, and it took over the entire view. George gave a low whistle.
"Crickey, Hermione, remind me not to hack you off for real. My condolences for your future married life, brother," George said, nodding at Ron, who glared at him.
"You've charmed it to pick up on people who mean to do you harm?" Brogan asked, picking up the small case and looking at it, clearly intrigued.
Fred nodded. "Yeah, we applied the concept of a foe-glass, you know, spotting one's enemies and charmed the device to pick up on it. So now, anytime any of us leave the flat, we'll have some defense against non-magical types watching us. It picks up on bad emotions and the intent of harm. That was a brilliant idea if I do say so myself."
George rolled his eyes at his twin. "He came up with that bit, but I worked out the actual seeing and using the screen part. What do you think?"
"How far can you see with them?" Harry asked, looking at the case after Brogan.
"As far as you can normally. Which, unfortunately, isn't that far for you, Harry, my blind as a bat friend," Fred joked, joining them. Ginny tried to kick him under the table, but he sidestepped it at the last moment, tsking at her. "We're working on trying to enhance things at a distance, but so far, no luck. The charm keeps wearing off after one use. As of right now, you have to be fairly close for the harm alert to kick in. It's not super close, but it's also not as far as we'd like it."
"What are you calling them?" Hermione asked, taking the screen from Harry. She tapped her wand on it, and the case closed automatically.
"We haven't decided," George admitted. "Extendable Eyes just sounds-"
"Gross?" Ginny asked, and her brother nodded.
"How about Foe-Eyes?" Ron suggested. Fred and George both shrugged.
"It's better than Black Case That Lets You See and Detect Your Enemies," George grumbled, glancing sourly at Fred as though this had been a bone of contention between them.
"I still think BCTLYSDYE is a good anagram."
Ginny agreed with George on this one. "Fred, that's awful. You need something clever. How about Spy Eyes? I mean, the thing you put on Tonks is super tiny, and you're spying on people with these. Or, wait, I know, how about Peeper-Creepers?"
"Love it!" George exclaimed. "All right, Ginny, you get to name all future products for 1% of the gross of said product!"
"One-percent?" Ginny said, raising her eyebrow. Fred laughed at her.
"Okay, 2%. We'll call it a naming fee."
"Make it 3%, and you have yourself a deal," Ginny said, sticking her hand out for them to shake. Harry chuckled next to her.
"Highway robbery, but you are family, so…it's fair," George said, shaking her hand first and then allowed Fred to step in. Ron looked at them grumpily.
"Foe-Eyes still sounds better to me."
"Nah, too close to one of the daydream potions we've got. Doe-Eyes, for those wanting to recapture their youth and innocent ways. Wouldn't want to have consumer confusion going on."
"What else have you guys got in those crates?" Ron said, standing up.
The meeting started to wind down, and Ginny sat back between Brogan and Harry and was about to suggest they head up to their room.
"Harry? Can we talk a moment?" Lupin called, and Harry nodded at him. He glanced at them.
"See you two upstairs." He kissed Ginny on the forehead before he stood up. Brogan grinned at her.
"Stuck with little ol'me again," he said softly.
Ginny smiled at him. "Come on, let's get out of here before Ron opens whatever that is." They both looked at the large red container Ron was now holding, and Ginny noticed the twins were beside themselves as they moved slowly away from their sibling, trying not to laugh.
"Good point," Brogan agreed as he stood up. "Happy twins and an unsuspecting Ron are not a good mix."
"Hermione can sort it," Ginny chuckled as they slipped from the room. Her last glance was of Hermione waving her wand over the box to make sure it wasn't about to explode on them.
o-o-o-o-o
They moved into the study, and Remus waited until they were behind closed doors before starting to talk. Harry got the feeling it was somewhat important, especially when Remus held up one of the bottles of whiskey, a question on his face.
Harry shook his head. Remus nodded and poured himself a small taste and then joined Harry on the sofa. Harry waited to see what the other man needed.
"We've…received a message from a rather unusual source, and since you've had dealings with this source in the past, I thought I would see what you think."
Harry frowned. "What source is that?"
"Dobby."
Harry felt surprised and stared at Remus. "Dobby? Dobby, house-elf at the school, Dobby?"
Remus's lips twitched in amusement. "Know any others?"
"Well, no," Harry admitted, feeling stupid. "What was the message?"
"He said to tell you the elves are ready."
"Um, for what exactly?" Harry said, feeling bewildered. Why was Dobby sending messages to them about the house-elves at the school?
Remus sighed and took a drink. "I have to admit that I was hoping that would mean something to you."
Harry frowned. "But the house-elves…they're trapped there with the Death Eaters, aren't they?" Harry felt embarrassed as he realized he'd never actually thought about them before this. He was glad Hermione wasn't with him, or she'd probably be giving him death glares.
"Since they technically belong to Hogwarts, they have to act per the Headmaster or Headmistress of the school," Remus explained.
"So, no Voldemort ordering them about? Since he can't get into the Head's office?" Harry asked, thinking out loud.
"We thought he couldn't get into it, but perhaps that has changed. Although, I can't see You-Know-Who sending a house-elf to us with that enigmatic message. But I remembered that one of the things Percy mentioned was that it appeared that the house-elves had deserted Hogwarts. And even at the time, I thought that was strange. They're not known for leaving their posts, especially ones that have been born and raised at their place of residence. The family lines at Hogwarts probably go back for ages."
Harry smiled as Remus's voice took on a slightly 'professor' quality. "So who would be ordering them around at his point?" he wondered.
They both looked at each other and then said it at the same time.
"McGonagall."
Remus looked excited. "This means she is still in Scotland and still in charge of some parts of the school."
"Dobby didn't say anything else? At all?"
Remus shook his head. "I think he might have if you had been there, but…"
"Wait," Harry said, frowning. "Where did Dobby show up at? Grimmauld Place?"
"No, the library. I felt a strange sort of compulsion to visit it, and when I got there, Dobby was waiting for me. It was the oddest thing. Perhaps he'd traveled there with Albus, once or twice? Albus always was rather fond of that elf."
"What if…what if Aberforth told him to go there? That would make sense if, as Professor Dumbledore said, his brother is still alive, and he and McGonagall are together…" Harry paused. Maybe that's why the office wouldn't open for Voldemort – because McGonagall was still using it! It made perfect sense to Harry. They would have the elves for food or anything else they'd need, and she would have been able to recuperate after the spell damage she'd experienced. He could tell that Remus was thinking along the same lines.
Remus gave him a small smile. "Feel like breaking back into the school, Harry?"
o-o-o-o
"Are you kidding me?" Ginny asked after Harry had explained to her and Brogan what their next mission was going to be.
Harry shook his head. "We're to go back to Hogwarts to try and get in contact with McGonagall or Aberforth. Or at the very least, try to see if we can summon Dobby to us and see what his message meant."
Ginny rested her head against the headboard of the bed, looking intrigued, and she glanced at Brogan, who was giving Harry a thoughtful gaze.
"Same group as before or a smaller one?" Brogan asked diplomatically.
"Well, Remus just wants us to do it."
"Us?" Ginny said, her eyes meeting Harry's. "Us, as in, you, me, and Brogan? That us?"
Harry nodded. He hadn't wanted to include Ginny at all, at first, but then his common sense had pushed past any lingering ideas about keeping her safe and realized that he and Brogan would most definitely need her help. Especially if they were going to use what he wanted them to use. Harry cleared his throat and gave them both a pointed look.
"We're going to use the bracelets."
Brogan expelled a rush of air as he sat back as well. He touched Ginny's arm as though to calm her, but Ginny's attention was entirely on Harry now.
"Are you sure that's wise?" she asked him.
"Remus and I discussed it, and I think we should. You know how they worked when we were trying to find Brogan, which was with just the two of us. If we're going back near Voldemort, I want us to have all the backup power, or whatever it is they give that we can get."
"And you're not going to try to make me stay behind?" Ginny persisted, and Harry reached out and took her hand into his.
"Worried I'm going to change my mind?"
Ginny shrugged and seemed to wait for his answer. Harry felt his face heat a bit and ran his hand through his hair nervously.
"All right, I admit, that was my first thought. But I dismissed it as being an egotistical, entirely too-noble-boyfriend viewpoint, and honestly, Gin? I know that we are better together than apart. Especially with the bracelets in play. And also, you are a bloody brilliant witch, and we'll need your talents, as well as your strength with protection and quick-thinking."
Ginny blinked at him as she digested his words and then smiled. "Well done, Harry. That was quite a mouthful. But I can tell you meant it."
Brogan chuckled as he looked between them. "I do prefer the two of you not having a row, I must admit."
"Me too," Harry conceded.
Ginny bumped Brogan playfully on the shoulder with her own. "So, this one's just here to look pretty, right?"
Brogan snorted. "I get to be the girl?"
"If by 'being the girl' you mean you get to be fierce and strong and elegantly dressed, then yes, be the girl," Ginny deadpanned. But she still raised an eyebrow at him as though in challenge.
Brogan raised his hands in surrender. "I was only teasing, Gin. I promise."
Harry cleared his throat, and they both looked at him with guilty expressions.
"Sorry, love," Ginny said. "When do we leave?"
"I want us to practice a bit more with the bracelets. At least a few times with all three of us wearing them. And then…well, Remus has alerted Tonks to keep her ears open for anything having to do with the school. The Ministry has still been watching it, just from afar. We'll want to go when no one from either side can see us, completely under the radar. If Aberforth and McGonagall are still there, they've stayed hidden for a reason, we reckon. Maybe they know something we don't. Or maybe they're both too weak to leave or something."
"How do you feel about being close to Voldemort again, Harry?" Brogan shrewdly asked, and Harry watched as his eyes lifted to where he knew his scar was now barely visible. Harry searched his feelings and realized he hadn't considered it – but a part of him instinctively knew that Voldemort would no longer be able to control him.
"I don't think it will be an issue. We've got the bracelets. And I've got Ginny, still tapped into Aine's protection and your Empath abilities to link us again if he does manage to get in my head. But…the part of him that was in me is gone. I think it means he won't be able to get away with anything."
"Except use his considerable magical ability to kick our arses," Ginny murmured. "That's all."
"Against the three of us? We'll at least make him break a nail or something," Brogan said. He was trying to cheer her up, Harry could see.
"You're right; what was I thinking?" Ginny shook her head and then stood up. "Well, come on. Let's start using the bracelets again. And let's all try not to get carried away with other stuffwhile wearing the blasted things."
"I have no idea what you mean," Brogan said lightly, completely straight-faced. But he stood up as well, and then they both looked at Harry.
"You know," Harry began as he realized something. "It occurs to me that I didn't ask you two if you did, actually, want to do this. I just assumed. But if either of you doesn't want to-," Ginny bent down and was suddenly kissing him. She smirked at him when she pulled back.
"You never have to ask us, Harry. Not for stuff like this. We're with you. One hundred percent."
"I, er, didn't want this to be one of those things where I don't ask or tell you something, that's all," Harry said, his eyes lifting to Brogan. "We all have an equal say, so if you have worries or concerns or I don't know, want to tell me off for volunteering you without asking first, then here's your shot."
Brogan kneeled so that he was even with Ginny, and they shared a look. He reached forward and pulled Harry closer to him, his blue eyes brightening at him. "There's not anyone else I want to risk life and limb for, you know. Except maybe her." Brogan jerked his head at Ginny with a smile.
Harry nodded, but he wanted them both to know how much he appreciated them. He took Brogan's hand into his and then reached for Ginny.
"I love you two. You know that, right? And I appreciate this more than you will probably ever understand. And I know, you're not just doing it for me, but...thank you, all the same."
"We know," Ginny said, her expression soft. Harry felt a surge of confidence then – and for probably the first time in his life, thought that things had half a chance at turning out okay.
o-o-o-o-o
"Now, Harry," Ginny murmured next to him, and he released the small, grey pellet George had given them earlier. It was a physical fog-inducing charm that had proved fairly sturdy to any dispelling charms someone might cast. Fred thought it would give them at least a few minutes if they needed to be undercover, and so far, Harry had been impressed with how well the pellets worked. The last time it had taken Brogan, Ginny, and Hermione casting simultaneously to make the fog disappear completely.
Every single witch and wizard still at the flat had helped them make the top floor they'd been using as a practice area into a Hogwarts-type landscape. Complete with trees, rocks, and various familiar boulders. Harry could swear the twins had also managed to recreate the slightly damp and mildly wet smell of the Black Lake in the air as well. He half-expected to turn to the right and see the Giant Squid lazily moving across it in the distance.
They had decided not to enter the school the same way as before – using one of the secret passages. Only because they assumed that would be expected of them now. So he and Ginny and Brogan were attempting to get as far as the castle's front doors while Ron, Remus, and Tonks played "Death Eaters." Harry shuddered to himself, thinking of that being a game future children could play one day if they ever managed to win this war. Brogan was up ahead of them, and soon Harry would move behind Ginny as they spread out. He glanced at her.
"Ready?"
She nodded, looking determined. They both raised their hands and then slipped the bracelets on. Ginny pointed her wand at her mouth and trilled out a short yet sad-moan type of bird call that sounded very much like something Harry had heard before while near Hagrid's hut. Ginny smirked at him.
"An Augury cry. I thought it appropriate," she murmured.
"Nice," Harry said. "Although I hope just the mere cry of it doesn't cause it to rain for real when we're out there."
They heard a soft hoot as an answer and knew that was Brogan's acknowledgment from up ahead of them. He, too, had slipped on his bracelet. But it wouldn't have mattered, as Harry's eyes suddenly focused quite sharply, and Ginny released a low breath as the bracelet's effect hit her as well. It was getting easier, wearing the bracelets, but it still made every nerve in Harry's body snap to attention.
Brogan had come up with the clever idea of duplicating Harry's glasses with a spell, so now they no longer had to worry about forgetting to give them to the other man to help him see. Harry was embarrassed because neither he nor Ginny had come up with that idea themselves. The first few training sessions had seen Harry blind for half the mission, like an idiot. It also hadn't occurred to Harry to just start the mission with the bracelets on – he was still wary of using them too often, although he was fairly sure the damage was already done in that regard.
Harry nodded at Ginny to go on ahead of him next. They'd come up with the three-in-a-row tactic after realizing that they made a rather large target if they went together. Not to mention it was just easier to be stealthy if you weren't walking next to someone.
Harry waited for the fog to swallow up Ginny's shadow and then started moving again. They continued this way for a while, just the sounds of the Hogwarts grounds around them. A sharp crack of a tree branch broke the stillness and Harry instinctively crouched down, stopping. It had sounded as though it were coming from the left of him, and he tilted his head, his heart starting to beat faster.
Harry sensed, rather than saw or heard that a spell was about to be cast. He twisted to the right as the red light of an intense stunning spell went zooming past where he had just been standing. He'd told Lupin, Ron, and Tonks not to hold back and to give them a real practice. It looked as though they were at least giving them that. He used the bracelet to warn Ginny and Brogan and changed his path slightly. They had a contingency plan if they encountered anyone while still trying to approach the castle and were now moving into formation C, as Ginny liked to call it. Harry paused and listened, trying to suss out who had sent the stunner his way.
A sudden warmth around his wrist made him realize one of the other two had been hit or nearly hit, and he stopped again, crouching down. There was a small set of bushes to his left, and he wondered if he had time to get to it for cover. His question was answered a moment later as a red blast of light appeared out of the fog. Moving faster than he'd typically move thanks to the bracelets, Harry managed to miss getting hit himself. He cursed inwardly and hurried towards the tree when another blast of light, this time, green, surrounded him, and he felt the effect of it hit his shield, but Harry himself remained unaffected. He had noticed the bracelets helped his shielding especially, but he was unsure if it was because he was the so-called Master of them or because his power was just that strong now. In the end, he supposed it didn't matter.
He tried to sense through their link if Brogan or Ginny were hurt, but everyone felt fine, if a little embarrassed. He assumed whatever had happened had caught the person unawares. Which was fine – Harry wanted them to experience everything they could possibly conceive of before doing this for real. He swung further left once he decided to move from behind the tree and made his way forward again. He weaved as he walked, not wanting to take a direct path in case anyone was behind them. When he was more than halfway up the hill towards the school, he stopped behind a boulder to get his bearings. He smiled as he saw the small, already-fading symbol Ginny had left for him to see. It meant she had at least made it this far as well.
Deciding to push forward the power of the bracelets again, Harry concentrated, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, he was completely disillusioned, and hopefully, the others were too. A moment later, he had his answer as he felt a mixture of pride and wonder come to him through their link. He'd wanted to try that one for a while; he had to admit.
As valuable as the bracelets were, Harry knew they were not an infinite supply of power – but he wanted to push their limits as far as he could while practicing. He knew that as they each weakened as individuals, so too would the bracelets. And to be honest, Harry didn't want to drain either of them and take too much from them. He thought about finding and re-reading the notes he'd made at the library before he'd fallen asleep (Harry still couldn't admit he'd technically been dead) and make sure he hadn't forgotten anything else about the bracelets.
Now, as Harry concentrated, he felt that Ginny was getting hungry and that Brogan had perhaps hurt something that was causing him to move slower than normal. Harry tried to reassure them both – sending them a bit of his own strength. He sucked in a deep breath and waited a moment before moving again. He often felt dizzy when he tried to share things through the bracelets, as though something was refusing to work the other way. He knew the bracelets were there to make him stronger, but he didn't care. Harry would share if he could, no matter what. But just to conserve energy for the three of them, he cut the Disillusion spell. And, just because he was feeling rebellious, he dropped his Protego.
A tree branch snapping again had him pausing, but not worried, necessarily. One of Lupin's tricks, Harry knew, was to throw the sound of movement around to confuse them. He reassured Ginny and Brogan through their link and kept moving slowly along his path. Apparently, this time though, Lupin had been behind him because suddenly a spell went whizzing by Harry, barely missing his left shoulder. He swore and then ducked down into a crouching position and then turned to look behind him. It was foggier than before, and Harry realized one of the others must have increased it with a pellet or spell of their own.
Suddenly, two spells came at him, and Harry rolled to the right, biting his lip so as not to make a noise so that they would know exactly where he was at. The spells started up in earnest then, and Harry was casting almost quicker than he could think. A sudden movement behind him had him almost throwing a hex without looking, but thankfully, he stopped himself as Ginny emerged from the thick fog a moment later.
"Harry," she murmured, checking him over. "I thought you were in trouble."
"Just annoyed they crept up behind me," he said, equally as soft. "You're not supposed to come back for me, Gin."
"I was nearby, and I felt you drop your shield," Ginny said. "I was also close enough to see the spells cast." She gave him a defiant stare, but Harry did not want to have a row while in the middle of being hunted. Harry stilled her hand as it moved over him and met her look with one of his own.
"I'm fine."
She nodded once and then withdrew her touch as they both peered into the fog around them.
"Should we dispel this fog?" Ginny asked, and Harry shook his head.
"It helps us more than it hinders us at this point. Come on, let's keep going."
They stayed in a crouched position and headed back towards the path. Harry had wanted them to reach the school's front doors in ten minutes or so, but he didn't think they were going to make it this time. Well, at least Brogan would, he hoped. He was just about to mention it to Ginny when a green blast of light came at them from the left, followed by an answering red one from the other side. In almost slow-motion, what happened next burned itself onto Harry's brain – Ginny twisted out of the way of the green spell, rolled back towards him, which caused the red spell to hit her dead on. Even though she remained conscious, it still must have been a pretty hefty stunner because she'd been thrown back into Harry. He caught her but not before two other spells came at them from both sides.
Harry watched as Ginny held up her hand – casting her own Protego, most likely. The strangest sensation around his wrist had drawn Harry's attention to his bracelet. His hand moved of its own accord and joined with Ginny's, causing the shield to double in strength and push the spells back towards the casters. A bright light filled the room/field, and then they heard nothing for a moment except utter silence. It was then broken by three echoing sounds of moaning and groaning.
Harry and Ginny shared a look, and then she was using her bracelet hand to clear the fog around them. Harry noted the fog dissipated immediately, and they saw what had happened. Ron, who had been on their right, had been knocked over by his own stunner. Lupin and Tonks were also knocked down and held in place by their spells, with Tonks sprouting large boils. Brogan was jogging back down the hill to join them, and Harry noticed the other man seemed to be favoring his right side.
"Are you okay?" he asked Brogan immediately, who waved his hand.
"Yeah, I think Remus made the boulder I was hiding behind explode, and I got hit with the leftover bits. Nothing a proper healing spell or potion can't fix." Brogan looked around at their would-be Death Eaters, still acting as though they were in a world of pain. "What happened here?"
"I cast a shield around us, and then Harry joined his hand with mine, and…they got hit with their own spells," Ginny said, sounding puzzled. Harry realized they were still holding hands and let go, the strange sort of sensation he'd felt from before fading.
Ron was the first to sit up, looking a bit cheesed off and rubbing the back of his neck and head. Brogan went over to Tonks and Remus, releasing them from what had been body binds. He also stopped the boils still popping up on Tonks's face.
"Bloody hell," Tonks was muttering and shaking her head at them. She turned to make sure Remus was okay. The older man nodded and also looked at Harry and Ginny.
"What did you do to make the spells bounce back to us?" Remus asked, sounding impressed.
Harry shrugged. "Nothing that I'm aware of. Ginny cast a shield charm, and then I joined my hand with hers. The next thing we knew, you lot were getting flung back with your own spells."
"Well, no, not exactly," Ron said, joining them. "I cast the Jelly-Legs jinx, which isn't what happened when it came back to me. I mean, my legs felt a bit wobbly, but then it just knocked me on my arse, really." Ron absentmindedly rubbed his backside, and Harry saw Ginny hide a smile behind her hand.
Harry looked at Tonks and Remus. "And you two?"
"Stunner," Remus said, shrugging. "I like the old favorites."
"Leg-Locker curse," Tonks said. "With an added variation of the pimple-jinx." She flashed them a cheeky grin.
"That's probably why they went immobile for a bit," Brogan said. "It's almost like you two rebounded all their spells as one giant…whammy."
"Well, as fascinating as this is, I'm hungry. Can we stop for a bit? We can continue the discussion while eating." Ginny looked hopefully at Harry, and he nodded.
They all started heading towards the bottom of the hill where the door should be. Harry rubbed his shoulder against Ginny's.
"You knew I'd dropped my shield, but I knew you were hungry," he said, smiling at her. "I could tell through the bracelet. The Weasley need to eat remains strong."
"That's hardly noteworthy; it has been hours since breakfast," Ginny said, frowning. Harry chuckled.
"You do sound a bit like Ron, though. Thought for sure he'd be the first to ask for a break."
"Oi! Right here, mate."
Harry grinned over his shoulder at his best friend.
"You know," Tonks was saying behind them. "Maybe the three of you shouldn't spread out when you go for real. If this is what you and Ginny can do when together, what on earth can the bracelets do when all three of you join?"
Harry caught Brogan's look and then glanced at Ginny. He reckoned that was a question they were going to have to answer before they went on their mission, once and for all.
o-o-o-o-o
A few days later, after talking with Remus, Harry found Brogan and Ginny in the kitchen. He grabbed his plate and spooned some potatoes and sausages onto it.
"Saturday," Harry told them when he joined them at the table. She and Brogan were just finishing their meal. "Thanks to Kingsley, Tonks just got moved up on the school-watch rotation. So, she'll be our lookout. Er, well, our 'look-the-other-way' person, anyway. You guys feel up for it?"
Brogan and Ginny shared a glance, and then both nodded at him. "Reckon we should step up training even more, then," Ginny said.
"How much more can we train, though?" Brogan asked. "We're ready. I don't want us to overdo it and be too wound up."
Harry knew Brogan had a point. He gazed at Ginny. "Don't you feel confident with everything?"
Ginny sighed and pushed her plate away from her. "I do, but…there are so many variables and things that can go wrong. Maybe just a bit more practice?"
"Fair enough," Brogan conceded. "All of us feeling confident is the most important thing."
"I want to try it again when it's just the three of us, wearing the bracelets. We can set it so we get random attacks, right?" Harry asked Brogan. The other man nodded.
"Yeah, of course. Instead of statues, we can test our skills against attacking shrubbery."
Ginny smirked. "Well, let's practice the rest of the afternoon, and then we can knock off early. Maybe blow off some steam some other way."
Harry had a feeling about what she meant and gave her a cheeky grin. "I like this plan. Maybe I should put you in charge of our training schedule."
"What? And let you lose your inflated sense of importance?" Ginny joked. She handed her plate to Brogan, who used his wand to banish their dirty dishes towards the sink, where Molly already had the water and soap going.
"Hilarious," Harry said, continuing to eat. "But you know what? I think this is going to go well, Gin. I can just feel it."
Ginny raised her eyebrow at him. "What's with all the positivity, Harry? Are you feeling a touch of that Weasley bravado now?"
Brogan snorted from the stove as he poured himself another cup of coffee, and Harry chuckled. "No, not really. Just…wearing the bracelets sort of…they let me sense how strong we are together. It's…it's not a cocky feeling. It's just…"
"Confidence in yourself?" Ginny asked in understanding.
"Yeah, perhaps. I want to keep practicing casting spells with them and seeing if I can make them work the right way for us."
"Oh, so you want to practicing controlling us then," Brogan said as he rejoined them. In their last training session, they'd discovered that Harry could use the bracelets to make them stop doing something if he needed them. It had been…a bit exhilarating to Harry, but now he shook his head at the other man.
"No, not like that, not really. You two know I'm not going to exploit the connection like that, but it does open up some possibilities for us to play with."
Ginny looked at him in wonder. "You're so self-assured now, Harry. It's…well, it's sort of a turn on." She grinned impishly at him, and Brogan smirked.
"He has the confidence to be Commander Potter outside of the bedroom, now," Brogan said, his lips twitching in amusement. Harry rolled his eyes at them.
"It's because I have confidence in us," Harry said pointedly. "And in what we can do as a united front."
Harry finished the last of his food and took a drink of pumpkin juice. He gazed at his two lovers and couldn't help it. He leaned forward and kissed Ginny, working his hands through her hair. She made a soft noise as he pulled away, her face flushing in response. Harry then turned to Brogan. The other man gave him a crooked smile, and Harry put his hand on his shoulder, letting his fingers linger against the soft skin of his neck. He knew they were ready. Furthermore, Harry knew they would be successful.
o-o-o-o-o
"The Ministry will be ours by Saturday, my lord."
"Oh, I know," Voldemort said as he rested a hand upon Nagini's head. "But still, you should consider how quickly your life on this plane of existence will come to an end if it isn't, Wormtail." The other Death Eaters tittered behind his faithful servant, and he silenced them with a look.
"You should all consider it."
The group went deathly quiet as they understood the threat of his words, and Voldemort hid a smirk. His eyes landed on a lone figure off to the side.
"What say you, Severus? Any word about what your precious Order will be doing?"
"They have closed ranks, my lord. And they believe me a traitor. How would I know?"
"Insolence, Severus?"
"Merely stating a fact, my lord."
Voldemort let his eyes move around the room, not hiding his disdain. His plans had not turned out the way he had wanted them. He had thought taking the school would have helped, but he saw now that he should have done as Weasley had suggested and gone after the Ministry first. It could not be helped; the Ministry was now ripe for the taking, according to Rookwood. Rookwood had also told Voldemort that Weasley would still be there as well – the Order had not accepted him back and had stuck him in a holding cell to await trial. Fools, Voldemort thought. They have made it all the easier for me to kill him.
"When we go on Saturday, I want you to be by my side, Severus. You and Bella."
"I am honored, my lord," Snape said as he bowed. On the other side of the room, Bella cackled softly and boldly gazed back at him, a reverent glee on her face. Voldemort flourished his wand hand at her in acknowledgment.
"Wormtail and Lucius shall be responsible for the rest of you," he said now, narrowing his eyes. To his right, Lucius swayed slightly in response. Voldemort looked at the still kneeling figure of Wormtail and let a smile appear. "Well, fill them in, Wormtail. Must I do everything?"
The other man stood up and started to stutter the rest of the commands. Voldemort tuned them out and sighed inwardly. He felt uneven. Still. Even though the spell Severus had helped him with had drained his essence out of Harry Potter and weakened the boy, he still felt incomplete. He had not felt any sense of power surge from what had returned to him. He could find no whisper of the annoying brat in his head – no sickening feeling of love. He wondered how the boy was coping with only his measly abilities to help him now—the one with the power to vanquish him, indeed. Voldemort scoffed to himself. He noticed that Severus had stepped forward and brought his attention back to the meeting.
"A question, Severus?"
"My lord, what of…Nagini? Will she also be at your side as we take what is rightfully yours?"
Voldemort frowned as Nagini hissed at the other man and curled up higher around his shoulders. "Why are you so interested in my pet, Severus?"
Snape stepped back, as though in apology, his head bowed. "I just want to make sure you have all that you need, my lord. To make your success all the more triumphant."
Voldemort stared at him and felt a prickly feeling of something at the back of his mind. He reached out and touched Nagini to calm her and then thought about bringing her along to the Ministry. But, no. Only after they had been successful would he allow his snake to be seen. His Death Eaters had, unfortunately, let him down one too many times in the past.
"No, she will stay at the school."
Snape nodded and joined the rest of the Death Eaters. Voldemort kept his eyes on him until, finally, he grew bored. Bella soon joined him on his left. Her was presence felt, but he didn't acknowledge it. Soon, everything he'd wanted and desired would be his. The wizarding world would fall and bow at his feet. They would kill the Muggleborns first and free his fellow brethren from the taint of their foul blood. Then they would work on killing actual Muggles – by the thousands until they too, fell. It was all coming together, and Harry Potter would no longer be able to even dream of destroying his plans.
o-o-o-o-o